Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-20

big and Eccentric Bets Made by
Wealthy Men for Fun and Money.

From Chambers Journal
SO far as we can go back In the worlds history
we find the rage for making wagers prevalent.
The Romans had great taste for making wagers
and bets, and they had a conventional form OF
ratfying these contracts, which consisted In TAX
ing from the finger the ring which the higher
classes invariably wore and giving It into the
keeping OF some third party.
wager was made early in the last century
by banker named Bulliot. He was a firm be-
lever in the superstition that If rain falls on St
Swithins Day July 15) it Will also fall more or
less, for forty days after. st. Swithins Day In
the year 1725 was very wet; and so Bull
his money that the next forty days would
De rainy. SO many persons showed q desire TO
take up this wager that IT'S terms were reduced to
writing, as follows: IF, dating from ST. Swithin's
Day. it rains more or little during forty days sue
cessively. BulliOt will be considered to have
gained; but II IL ceases TO rain for only one day
during that time Bulliot has lost" On these terms
Builiot betted against all who presented them
selves He was so confident OF success that he
placed money against articles OF value OF every
description. People brought gold-headed canes
Snuf-DOXeS, jewels, even clothes: and BultOt
Wagered as much money against them as he con-
sidered they were worth. When his stock OF cash
came to an end he issued notes and bills OF ex-
change 10 such an extent that IL was said he had
paper money out to the amount OF 100 600 crowns.
All this naturally excited a great deal OF public
curiosity, and the rash man found himself quite
fashionable for the time being. Verses were made
forthe hero; in word he attracted as much at
tentiOn as though he were a monarch or famous
statesman. But, unfortunately for Bulliot St
Swithin was not true to his character For the
first twenty -one days OF the stipulated time more
or less rain fell. The twenty-second day, how
ever, was bright and cloudDeSS and night came on
without there being the slightest sign of rain
Bullot was ruined and ruined so completely that
he was unable to meet the notes and bills that
bore his name. The holders OF these tried to en-
force payment; but the ancient law did not recog-
nize debts OF this kind any more than does the
law of more modern days They were non-suited,
and their debts declared frrecoverable.
A foreign prince staying in Paris made a bet
with member OF the Imperial Club that be (the
prince would In the course of the next two hours,
be arrested by the police without committing any
Onense or provoking the authorities in any
fashion. The way ne won his wager was by
dressing himself in tattered Old blouse, pair OF
moldy old boots full OF holes, and a disreputable
burleSque OF q hat. Thus attired he walked up to
one OF the most ariStocratic cafes In Paris, and,
seating himself at q table, called for a cup OF
eioc0iate. The waiter, as was onlYnatural, did
not care about serving so suspiciouSlOOktng Gus
toner before he was assured that the payment
would be forthcoming, 50 he told the prince he
must pay LII advance.
Upon this his highness pulled bundle of bank
considerable value, told him to take the price OF
the coffee out OF it and bring back the change
The man Immediately went In search Of the pro-
prietor OF the cafe, VINO, when he heard the facts
OF the Case, ordered the coffee to be served, and
at the same time sent to the nearest police sta
ton for a sergeant de Vile. The prince was. OF
course, ARRESTED and taken before cOmmissary
OF police. He announced his rank, and told lis
reasons for assuming such an unprlncely costume.
The authorities were Obdurate ut first, but they
finally consented to send the prince under escort
TO the Imperial Club, where the gentleman with
whom the bet had been made proved bis Identity
ana paid his highneSS the money.
wager was made In 1896, In the Castle yard,
York, between Thomas HodgSOn and Samuel
Whitehead, as to which should succeed in assum-
tns the most original character. UmpireS were
selected, whose duty it was to decide upon the
comparative abSurdtty Of the costumes In which
the two men appeared. On the appointed day
Hodgson came before the umptres decorated with
bank notes OF various value on his coat and waist
coat. row OF nve-guinea notes and a long netted
purse OF gold round his hat, while piece OF paper
bearing the words "JOhn Bull" was attached to
his back.
Whitehead was dressed like woman On one
stde one-half OF his face was painted, and he
q silk stocking and slipper on one leg. The other
half OF his face Was blackened to resemble that OF
a negro; on the corresponding side OF his body he
wore gaudy, long tailed linen coat, and his leg
was caSed In half a pair of leather breeches with
must have presented by far the most singular APP
pearance. The umpires thought differently, how
ever, and awarded The stakes TO HodgSOn.
A notorious gambler OF the last century finally
ruined himself by very extraordinary bet. He
had been playing with Lord LOrne. Their stakes
against him. Exasperated at his losses he Jumped
up from the card table, and, Selling large punch
bowl, said: "FOr once I'll have a bet where
have a chance OF winning! Odd or even for
1900 guineas?" ''Odd," replied the peer calmly.
The bowl was dashed against the wall, and on
the pieces being counted there proved to be an
odd one. The rash gambler paid up his L., 900
guineas, but, II tradition be correct It was only by
selling the last OF his estates that he was enabled
TO do so.